Television and the Internet are slowly creeping toward each other as these technologies merge.  Eventually you’ll be able to watch mainstream broadcast TV and Internet content on a single monitor.  While you’re waiting, there are some pretty cool bleed-over technologies to tune into:

 

Blip.tv  is a video sharing/social networking service that does YouTube one better.  Where YouTube collects single, simple video clips, Blip.tv videos are mini “ TV series.”  Anyone can create a show, post it, and advertise it to others through a “trailer.” You can search for shows by popular tags, and subscribe to favorite shows via an RSS-feed-like process. 

In a model more familiar to library audiences, “MyLibraryDV” offers existing TV programs as downloadable video for patrons to watch on a home computer.  This video-on-demand service from Recorded Books is in partnership with public libraries.  Here in South Carolina, Anderson County Public Library  is offering this service.  DVD-quality popular programs such as America’s Test Kitchen, Rick Steves’ Europe, Antiques Roadshow, and some feature-length films are offered.  Programming is somewhat limited – no prime time shows and few current movies are available – but it’s a start and may be of interest to your community.For either of these services, a broadband connection and a fast graphics processor are needed for optimum viewing at home.

Finally, just so you’ll be in the know about another video development that your patrons will be following:  “Machinima” animated films are made by taking graphic characters and elements from online games and virtual worlds, such as Second Life and World of Warcraft, and creating story lines and video content around them.     Here’s an explanation of machinima.   Wikipedia also has a good article which includes a listing of current Machinima offerings.

 

“Current” soon becomes “yesterday” in this new world of video.  Catch on soon!